Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption fell by 25 per cent to 35.7 million litres in July 2026, down from 47.4 million litres recorded in June, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The figures were contained in the regulator’s “Factsheet: State of the Midstream and Downstream July 2026”, which showed that the decline in consumption came alongside a 10 per cent reduction in daily petrol supply, from 50.6 million litres in June to 45.5 million litres in July. Petrol consumption, measured by volumes trucked into the domestic market, also remained below the 50 million-litre daily demand benchmark set for 2026.

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Despite the decline in supply, national petrol stock sufficiency improved by 14 per cent, from 19.7 days in June to 22.4 days in July. However, the figure remained below the NMDPRA’s stated minimum threshold of 30 days. Petrol prices during the month reportedly ranged from an average of ₦1,204 per litre in Lagos to ₦1,345 in Maiduguri.

Dangote Refinery Supplies Most Domestic Petrol

The Dangote Refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation of 71.09 per cent during the month and produced about 25.9 million litres of petrol daily. Of this volume, 25.8 million litres were supplied to the domestic market while 3.4 million litres were exported.

The refinery had 446.1 million litres of petrol in closing stock as of July 31.

However, domestic refinery contributions to petrol supply declined by 21 per cent to 25.8 million litres per day, while petrol imports increased by nine per cent to 19.7 million litres per day to make up for the shortfall.

NNPCL Refineries Remained Shut

The NMDPRA report also revealed that Nigeria’s three major refineries owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remained non-operational throughout July.

The Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company remained shut, while the Warri and Kaduna refineries were listed as not producing.

Some modular refineries, however, recorded varying levels of activity. The Edo Refinery operated at 95.72 per cent capacity, WalterSmith at 70.42 per cent, Aradel at 36.32 per cent and OPAC at only 0.86 per cent. Duport Modular Refinery was also shut during the period.

Diesel Supply Rises 46%

While petrol consumption and supply declined, diesel recorded a significant improvement.

Daily diesel supply increased by 46 per cent to 23.6 million litres, largely because diesel imports rose from zero in June to 7.9 million litres per day in July. Domestic diesel receipts, however, fell by three per cent.

Consequently, diesel stock sufficiency increased to 46.5 days, significantly above the 30-day benchmark.

Aviation fuel also recorded a relatively comfortable stock position at 58.6 days, while LPG recorded the lowest stock sufficiency among the major petroleum products at only 16.3 days.

LPG Prices Remain High

The report showed that the average retail price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, ranged from ₦1,325 per kilogramme in Lagos to ₦1,575 in Sokoto during July.

Kano and Enugu recorded average prices of about ₦1,550 per kilogramme, while Ibadan stood at ₦1,540 and Calabar at ₦1,410.

The maximum retail price reached ₦1,650 per kilogramme in Kano, Sokoto and Enugu, while the minimum prices ranged from ₦1,150 in Lagos to ₦1,500 in Sokoto.

Despite the high prices, total LPG supply increased by four per cent from 5.1 kilotonnes per day in June to 5.3 kilotonnes per day in July. Domestic supply rose by 22 per cent, while imports fell by 40 per cent.

LPG consumption also increased by seven per cent to 4.4 kilotonnes per day, meaning the improvement in supply did not translate into a significant increase in stock availability.

Gas Supply Declines

On the gas side, Nigeria’s major gas processing facilities operated at an average utilisation rate of 49.21 per cent.

The Soku Gas Plant recorded the highest utilisation at 99.56 per cent, while the OB/OB Associated Gas Plant recorded the lowest at 22.95 per cent.

Total average gas supply stood at 4.723 billion cubic feet per day, representing an eight per cent decline from June. Of this volume, 2.695 billion cubic feet per day was supplied to Nigeria LNG, while 2.028 billion cubic feet per day went to the domestic market.

The latest figures highlight a mixed performance in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, with falling petrol consumption and supply, continued inactivity at NNPCL’s three major refineries, stronger diesel availability and increased domestic LPG supply.